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Vintage Cocktails #54: The Soother

In 1935, A.S. Crockett, historian of the Waldorf-Astoria, put to paper The Old Waldorf-Astoria Bar Book. This book provided the recipes for over five hundred cocktails served prior to prohibition at the world’s most famous bar, as well as over a hundred recipes for drinks originating during, or slightly after prohibition. Presumably Crockett’s goal was to provide direction for the lost art of tending the rail, however, his book is a little challenging in that a large portion is essentially variations of the classic martini. Alternating ratios of vermouth, both sweet and dry, as well as different brands of gin and bitters, make finding a great cocktail in this book somewhat difficult. However, Ted Haigh has done the hard work for us, and unearthed a true gem.